TAMPA, Florida -- Pavel Datsyuk scored twice and Danny Cleary factored into two more goals, helping to lead the Detroit Red Wings to a 6-2 win over the Tampa Bay Lightning Thursday night.
Much was made of the matchup, as it was the first between the two teams since Steve Yzerman left the Red Wings organization to become general manager of the Lightning.
Cleary opened the game's scoring on a Detroit power play 6:40 into the game. Nicklas Lidstrom fired a shot from the blue line that Cleary tipped at the top of the crease, past goalie Dwayne Roloson.
Datsyuk made it 2-0 with 5:03 left in the period, pouncing on a rebound and swatting it past a sprawling Roloson on the backhand.
The Lighting would briefly rally in the second period, scoring twice in 2:47 to tie the game.
With 8:09 left in the period, Victor Hedman wristed a shot from just inside the blue line that deflected past Detroit goalie Jimmy Howard to get Tampa Bay on the board.
With 5:22 left, Steve Downie snapped a loose puck past Howard to make it 2-2.
The Red Wings regained control 1:56 later, when a Niklas Kronwall shot deflected off of Cleary's skate and into the net for a power play goal.
Justin Abdelkader put a rebound chance past Roloson from the edge of the crease with 2:00 remaining to restore the two-goal lead.
Datsyuk's second of the night came with 8:21 left in the third period. He was left uncovered to race into the Tampa zone and take a feed from Jiri Hudler before snapping a shot past Roloson.
Darren Helm wrapped up the game's scoring with 1:51 left in the game, turning a turnover at the Lightning blue line into a breakaway goal.
Detroit's power play goals gave them two on three tries with the extra attacker. Tampa Bay went scoreless on five chances with the man-advantage.
Howard stopped 38 of the 40 shots he faced on the night. Roloson made 25 saves on 31 shots.
The Red Wings continue their Florida road trip on Friday night as they visit the Panthers.
Notes: Brad Stuart returned to the Detroit lineup after missing 15 games with a broken jaw... Ruslan Salei was given the night off to spend more time with his California-based family. He will return to the lineup against the Panthers.
Kicking this thread off now 'cause my flight for Tampa is at the crack of dawn tomorrow.
I'll be posting over the road trip when I can but more updates will be via Twitter (@detroithockey96).
Ruslan Salei has been given an extra personal day (he was home in California all week to be with his wife and newborn child). This means Jakub Kindl stays in the lineup tonight. Salei will be back tomorrow.
As I tweeted earlier, rode down the escalator at Tampa International right in front of Trevor Thompson. High point of the day so far. The game can't get here soon enough.
Edit: Salei's wife hasn't given birth yet. Misread the article. She's just very pregnant and he's been spending time with her. Still good on the Wings for letting their players do that. Same thing happened with Brad Stuart in 2008.
As I tweeted earlier, rode down the escalator at Tampa International right in front of Trevor Thompson.
Is he as short as he looks?
Is he as short as he looks?
He's kinda short but the guy is built. Never realized that.
Great first period for Detroit. PK came up huge, led by Jimmy.
Wings fans dominate the arena.
It was loud for a minute, then the Wings pulled their sh*t together and got their lead back.
Great to see Justin score, he needed that. Long slump.
Fantastic game overall. Lots of fun.
Fantastic game overall. Lots of fun.
Well I missed all the action again. But it's a great way to start the day here in Afghanistan.
Pavel Datsyuk
Credit: Clark Rasmussen
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